Police: Gustine woman embezzles 200K in parts, sales on Internet

According to the Los Banos Police Department, Tabitha Dawn Guthrie, 34, a parts clerk for Kagome Inc., is alleged to have stolen more than 250 industrial parts from her employer over the course of a year and a half.

A Gustine woman has been arrested on suspicion of stealing $200,000 worth of parts from one of the biggest employers in Los Banos and selling them on the Internet.

According to the Los Banos Police Department, Tabitha Dawn Guthrie, 34, a parts clerk for Kagome Inc., is alleged to have stolen more than 250 industrial parts from her employer over the course of a year and a half.

Police launched an investigation into the tomato-processing employee’s actions in February.

Guthrie’s home was searched in April and, police said, evidence was found linking her to the embezzlement. Police later continued the investigation by searching through financial records.

Guthrie was arrested at her home on July 11 and is in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility in lieu of $250,000 bail.

“The suspect used her position of trust to cover up her embezzlement from the business. Like most criminals, she was eventually caught and will have to answer for her crime,” said Detective Sgt. Ivan Mendez.